They found themselves a politically incorrect darkhorse.
The Talking Point:[url]http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/talking_point/newsid_1942000/1942837.stm[/url]

A major reason for Le Pen's success has been the inadequacy of the government to deal with crime. To combat crime effectively a lot of politically correct accepted truths will need to be rendered unworkable. Le Pen understands this. The others do not.
Toby, England

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and

Le Pen is not at all repugnant, merely patriotic and politically incorrect. The French people are tired of seeing their country become a cesspit and have used their votes correctly; it's time we did the same here.
Mark, London, UK